NEW BRIGHTON, Pa. -- A fiery train derailment in Beaver County was caused by the railroad's inadequate rail inspection and maintenance program, the National Transportation Safety Board determined Tuesday.

The Federal Railroad Administration's inadequate oversight of the rail inspection process also contributed, the NTSB said.

The 80-car Norfolk Southern train derailed while crossing a bridge over Beaver River in New Brighton on Oct. 20, 2006.

Three of the tankers exploded, and eight rail cars on the bridge caught fire. No one was injured, but seven blocks were evacuated after several train cars fell into the water and released ethanol, which ignited and burned for 48 hours.

NTSB Chairman Mark Rosenker said the railroad put the public at risk because it had an inadequate inspection and maintenance program that resulted in a rail fracture from an undetected internal defect.

"Norfolk Southern was not conducting a continuous search of their rail for internal defects, which left segments of rail uninspected and in service indefinitely," Rosenker said.

Rudy Husband, a spokesman for the railroad, said the company wanted to review the NTSB's findings before commenting.

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